6 ATF agents are on campus, 20 others on standby. FBI rushing agents down also

From the scene at Virginia Tech this afternoon. (danielinphono / flickr.com)

More background from Associated Press:

Harry White, 20, a junior physics major, told The Associated Press the campus was quieter than usual because classes ended Wednesday and students are preparing for the start of exams. …

The shooting came the same day as Virginia Tech, which has an enrollment of about 30,000, was appealing a $55,000 fine by the U.S. Education Department in connection with the university’s response to the 2007 rampage, when a student gunman killed 32 students and faculty and then shot himself.

A report of a possible gunman at Virginia Tech on Aug. 4 set off the longest, most extensive lockdown and search on campus since the 2007 bloodbath led the university to overhaul its emergency procedures. No gunman was found, and the school gave the all-clear about five hours after sirens began wailing and students and staff members started receiving warnings by phone, email and text message to lock themselves indoors. Alerts were also posted on the university’s website and Twitter accounts.

That incident marked the first time the entire campus was locked down since the 2007 shooting, and the second major test of Virginia Tech’s improved emergency alert system. The system was revamped to add the use of text messages and other means besides email of warning students.

Person who surrendered was wearing gray shirt and jeans. Unsure if he was suspect
RT @zcrizer Police entering performance arts building on College Ave. One person surrendered. Another apparently at large

A police officer is dead in the Cassel Coliseum lot, near McComas Hall. A person was shot at, but their status is unknown, in the I lot off Plantation Road near the Duck Pond. A potential second victim was identified via VT Alerts in the Cage lot.

A VT Alert was just administered stating that gun shots were reportedly heard near Coliseum parking lot. However, emergency personnel are responding. But students and faculty are being told to stay inside, secure doors and call 911 for help.

The suspect is described as a white male wearing gray sweatpants and a gray hat with a neon green brim, a maroon hoodie sweatshirt and a backpack. According to an alert sent out at 12:47 p.m. he was headed toward McComas hall.

Both Virginia Tech Police and Blacksburg Police were unavailable for comment.

In 2007, 32 people were killed on the Virginia Tech campus after Seung Hui Cho of Fairfax went on a shooting rampage inside an academic building and a dormitory. It was the deadliest shooting by a single gunman in U.S. history.